Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Asian-American Free Labour Institute (AAFU) have agreed to jointly solve the child labour problem in the garment factories in a constructive way'.

Professor Terry Collingsworth, a consultant for AAFLI, met with BGMEA President Muhammad Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday last to discuss the labour problems of the garment sector.

In a statement Professor Collingsworth said that during his stay in Dhaka since December 13 he has gathered “substantial documentation of labour law violations among some members of BGMEA. including extensive use of child labour, violations of minimum wage and maximum hour laws for women workers, failure to

provide registration card lor workers and termination of workers engaging tn legitimate union activities'.

During the meeting with the BGMEA President, the AAFLI consultant explained that recent press reports alleging that AAFLI and others wqre "somehow trying to harm the garment industry in Bangladesh is not true", the statement said.

However, he added that "AAFLI is prepared to take action under the Harkin Bill to ban any products from exports to the US made with child labour if the BGMEA refuses to respect the laws of Bangladesh. and that the new CHnton administration Is likely to require complete compliance with Internationa) labour standards for Bangladesh to remain eligible for substantial

trade benefits under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) act.

"AAFU's exclusive priority is to see that workers In Bangladesh enjoy basic rights under the law."

According to the statement, AAFLI proposed a joint programme In which the BGMEA and AAFLI would cooperate to bring Bangladesh In compliance with the international standards so that the garment Industry, and all other industries. would prosper, while at the same time the workers would enjoy their basic rights.

AAFU also proposed solving the child labour problem In a constructive way. with resources from BGMEA and AAFLI, and the cooperation of the government, by opening schools for the children, so that they can receive proper

education and training.

"AAFLI made clear that it was not AAFLI s goal to deal with the child labour problem by simply terminating the children,' the statement read. The non government US organisation also proposed a jointly supported programme to provide education and training for adult workers tn the Industry.

The BGMEA President dur Ing the meeting agreed that it would be much more consistent with the national Interest to solve the labour problems In the Industry constructively, it added.

"He agreed to cooperate with AAFLI In the education programmes. and also to take action against any BGMEA member that refused to comply with other aspects of the labour laws of Bangladesh." the statement further said.